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CONFIDENTIAL SECTION 01 OF 02 BISHKEK 000968

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR SCA/CEN

E.O. 12958: DECL : 09/24/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR KG

SUBJECT: OSH TRIP: AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH OSH CITY MAYOR
BISHKEK 00000968 001.2 OF 002

Classified By: Ambassador Tatiana Gfoeller for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

IQ. (C) Summary: On September 17, Ambassador met with Jumadyl
Isakov, Mayor of Osh City since 2005, to discuss foreign
investment, preparations for the upcoming winter, local
elections, Hizb ut-Tahrir, and problems with the Uzbeks.

According to an official census, the population of Osh is
approximately 285,000, but Isakov estimated that over 600,000
live in the city and its suburbs. Describing the city's
political make-up, Isakov said that thirty deputies form the
Osh City parliament, in addition to ten territorial public
councils. Isakov praised U.S. assistance to the south and
welcomed further cooperation with his administration. End
summary .

FOREIGN CAPITAL SLOWLY FLOWS INTO OSH

T2 . (C) Isakov touted the numerous foreign investments in Osh
and the developing tourism industry. Isakov said that within
the last two years, 27 joint ventures had opened in Osh,
including nine brick factories, eight of which were started
by Chinese entrepreneurs and the ninth by Austrians. He said
that the Kyrgyz-Chinese cotton processing facility provides
650 jobs to the area, and he also described the initial steps
toward opening a Kyrgyz-German denim factory. Isakov said
that tourism may develop additional income-generating jobs
for the region, and he expressed his hope that Mount
Suleyman, located in the center of the city, would be
designated a United Nations Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Site. He said
that Osh is also used as a launching point for mountain
climbers attempting to summit the 7,100 meter high Lenin
Peak. When asked the origin of most tourists, Isakov said
that many travelers come from Europe or the U.S., and they
usually visit Kyrgyzstan as a part of their Central Asian
tour package.

OSH PREPS FOR THE UPCOMING WINTER

13. (C) Isakov acknowledged electricity shortages as a result
of water deficiencies at the Toktogul reservoir but claimed
that the Osh City thermal power station (TETS) was fully
prepared for the winter months. The Mayor expressed his
disappointment that the rolling blackouts, cutting power for
eight hours a day in private homes and less for businesses,
severely hampered area enterprises and disrupted the lives of
the local population. Isakov said that the city's thermal
plant had already accumulated over 1000 tons of coal and over
7000 tons of mazut and did not anticipate an interruption of
service this winter.

14. (C) Ambassador asked about the possibility of schools
closing for up to three months this winter. In response, he
said that out of 55 schools in Osh, most are heated by the
TETS. He said that it was illogical to shut down schools for
three months because, unless the water was drained from the
heating pipes of the school buildings -- a time-consuming
operation — the schools would continue to be heated with or
without the students in attendance.

ISAKOV ON LOCAL ELECTIONS

15. (C) Although Osh City parliamentary elections were already
held last October, Isakov spoke of preparations for the
upcoming local elections to be held across the country on
October 5. He said that he expected only three political
parties to participate in the south: President Bakiyev's

ruling party of Ak-Jol, the Communist Party, and the Social
Democrats. Noting that preparations in the southern
districts were going well, Isakov highlighted the President's
calls for Ak-Jol representatives to refrain from interfering

BISHKEK 00000968 002.2 OF 002

with the local elections.
DEALING WITH HIZB UT-TAHRIR

16. (C) Isakov stated that a variety of religious confessions

function peacefully in Osh and the local government did not
interfere with the religious community -- except when dealing
with HT. He said that HT becomes more active during the
Muslim holy month of Ramadan, slaughtering livestock and
distributing the meat and other foods to low-income families.

When asked whether members were local or foreign, the Mayor
speculated that they were Kyrgyz citizens but that they
received financial backing from abroad. Isakov believed that
repression was counterproductive when dealing with HT.
Instead, he felt that educating the population about the
goals of HT, via local Imams' sermons, would be the most
effective way of discouraging support for the Islamic group.

RELATIONS WITH THE UZBEKS

T_7 . (C) When asked about interaction with neighboring
countries, Isakov immediately focused the discussion on the
problematic relations with Uzbekistan. He said that
continued efforts to demarcate the border between their two
countries were progressing at a very slow pace. He noted
that the commission charged with facilitating the
delimitation process only met once per year, which offered
little opportunity for movement towards a defined border.
Isakov felt it vital that the two countries facilitate an
easier border crossing process, especially with existing
enclaves in each country, citing the need for citizens to
visit their relatives and conduct trade with their neighbors.

Isakov also claimed that the Uzbek government continued to
siphon natural gas from deposits that lie on both sides of
the border. He believed that the majority of the gas fields
are on Kyrgyz territory and, therefore, his government should
have majority rights in controlling the extraction process.

PRAISING U.S. ASSISTANCE TO OSH

1.8 . (C) Isakov proudly spoke of the productive collaboration
efforts between his administration and the U.S. government,
specifically citing USAID programs and his relationship with
the Peace Corps. The Mayor applauded U.S. government
assistance, claiming that USAID projects implemented within
the communities fill a void that his administration would
otherwise not have the resources to address. Isakov spoke of
his recent meeting with Peace Corps Volunteers serving in
Osh, where he expressed his appreciation for their work in
the communities. Isakov also said that his office cooperates
with the volunteers in a number of areas and supports their
projects whenever possible.

COMMENT

19 . (C) Acknowledging the need for assistance to his city,
Isakov has proven to be cooperative with U.S. government
programs in the past, and he welcomed additional
collaboration. Having traveled to the U.S. on an
International Visitors program in 2002 that focused on
combating terrorism, Isakov seemed to be less suspicious and
have a better understanding of U.S. activities in Kyrgyzstan.

He offered a frank discussion with the Ambassador on a wide
range of issues.

GFOELLER